TV Series Lounge

Talk about love and family, we saw it all in episode 3 of Parenthood season 3 titled “Step Right Up.” Let’s discuss what happened.

Haddie and Alex
TV Fanatic: Did anyone else get angry when Alex told Haddie his problems were out of her world and he had to deal with them on his own? The only reason he had a problem was because Haddie was incapable of understanding the gravity real life situations. Dating an alcoholic, inviting him to a party and then drinking to greet him was the reason he got into trouble. Why should she skate on her responsibility?

I couldn’t help feeling that Alex deserved Adam and Kristina as parents more than Haddie. Every scene with her in it felt like torture, but I loved the ones featuring Alex. When Adam went to the parents’ house to fight for Alex, I wanted him to take the low road, and threaten to sue them for the alcohol doused party at their house.
But Adam was too good for that, and spoke eloquently on Alex’s behalf instead. The charges against Alex were dropped.

Adam and Kristina
What a struggle it must have been for them, not wanting to know the sex of their baby because the odds of having another child with Asperger’s would be higher with a boy. But, really, who could blame them? We watched what they have gone through with Max, and to add another child with the same issue would rightfully create fear.
Adam’s decision to take the plunge into the world of entertainment with Crosby added stress to the end of Kristina’s pregnancy. Between that and Kristina’s fear of another child with Asperger’s, I’m concerned about her delivery.

Zeek, Drew and Amy
Drew finally got a story! Zeek, the foxy grandpa, gave Drew just what he needed to get started: encouragement. When Drew inadvertently let Amy’s dog out of the front door and Amy shot off after him, I was screaming “RUN” at the screen. Why did he just stand there? He will need few more of Zeek’s lessons before he finds himself on equal footing with the man, but it was a great start overall.

Julia and Zoe
Julia dreaded going to work after offering to “buy” Zoe’s baby. I couldn’t think of anything that would keep Zoe from wanting Julia and Joel to adopt her baby, but she had a great reason. Her pain at giving up her baby was so overwhelming that she wanted a closed adoption.

The odds of Julia not getting Zoe’s baby, and talking her into an open adoption? About 2 to 1. Zoe would fit so well into the Braverman family that any other outcome would be out of character for Parenthood.

Sarah and Amber
In typical Sarah fashion, she tried unsuccessfully to push her way into Amber’s new life. She showed up at her job, kept her clothes from being sold at a yard sale and tried to talk her into switching shifts so she could attend Kristina’s baby shower. Amber was annoyed and unaffected. Until she heard a bump in the night in her new, if questionable, “loft.”

It was a giant rat (looking suspiciously like my own – is he acting on the side?!) that finally brought mother and daughter back to their special place. Sarah just needed to let Amber go for her to come back.

You can check other Parenthood Season 3 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

Excited to see some spoiler pictures from episode 3 of Parenthood season 3? Well, you can view some below.

Any comments about this episode?

You can check other Parenthood Season 3 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

I just don’t get it why episode 2 of Parenthood season 3 is titled “Hey, If You’re Not Using That Baby…” Nevertheless, let’s discuss what transpired on the said episode.

TV Fanatic: There was less about the Julia/Zoe storyline than any other, though perhaps I missed the gravity of the situation. In just 10 minutes, Julia’s dreams were dashed and, putting my own childless self in her position, it didn’t mean much to me.

But the rest of the Bravermans are moving on and their lives seem to be on the upswing.

Who would have that our resident Aspergers child, Max, would make the most logical sense out of the entire classroom experience? Why aren’t classrooms conducted in conversational fashion? It seems it would be a lot more inclusive and take some of the pressure off of students. Especially those moments when some poor kid isn’t paying attention and gets called out in front of the class.

Of course, you would need some sort of rules to keep things from going over the top, but Max expressed something I’ve never even realized I wanted to know. It was a great moment, but surely frustrating for the teacher. If every kid was ADD these days, Max would be the straw that broke the camel’s back. It was heartbreaking to see Kristina’s face as he sat alone on the playground, but I didn’t think Max was doing as badly as she felt, and Max’s teacher agreed.

While Max was conquering the world of public school, his poor father Adam was dealing with the childlike behavior of Crosby, as he used underhanded tactics to bring Adam into an extremely volatile business deal. If Adam didn’t have a family of five to provide for, it would be an easier decision to make. But concern about his family was his highest priority. Top that off with Kristina’s emotional unraveling about Max and you have go give Adam some points for bravery.

Adam was standing tall as he decided against taking the job selling beverages (the easy way out) and to go into business with Crosby. I will give Crosby kudos for knowing his clientele, and if Adam was really as good at running the shoe business as we thought, he should be able to knock this out of the park. This could give an opportunity for popular bands to make a pit-stop on the show, and that will bring in younger viewers. Excellent idea!

The one Braverman who spent years as the lost girl, Sarah, finally seemed to have the world at her fingertips. It certainly didn’t hurt that Amber moved out to give them each some space and release the tension. Sarah mentioned her writing class, so she’s still pursuing her dream, and Mark opened the passenger side of his car to her (what a cute reference that was!). He’s ready to commit.

But is Sarah? I could tell part of her hesitation was that he is 12 years younger, but they seemed so great together. They enjoyed each other’s company and the sex scene in which Zeek inserted himself was really well done. If Mark can stay through that embarrassment, he’s a keeper in that family!

I had genuine concern when I saw the look on her face as Camille asked what the real problem was. What was the real problem? Fear of happiness? Nope. It was her concern for Amber. However, Amber not only took it well, but championed Sarah in her relationship with Mark. Things really are looking up for them.
Finally, there was a lot going on with Haddie and Alex, but I have to let it go to get some perspective.

Listening to Haddie talk was similar to listening to nails on a chalkboard. For a girl who started out as one of the most responsible on the show, she has slid so far backward as to make her unwatchable. The pace of her speech, that annoying Little Annie hairstyle and her inability identify with others outside her personal space was too much.

Outside of that rant, I’ll let Haddie be the teenager in high school that she is and be happy that the rest of the family took such tremendous strides toward new adventures, whether they turned out well or not so well.

What do you think of episode 2 of Parenthood?

You can check other Parenthood Season 3 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

The season 3 premiere of Parenthood is a decent episode. However, “I Don’t Want to Do This Without You” fell short in giving us what we had expected. What went wrong?

TV Fanatic: The characters grow at a realistic pace, and half a year away didn’t bring about any life altering events. I kind of like that.

Adam was going slightly stir crazy, as he remained unemployed. Kristina was swelled with pregnancy, but that didn’t stop her temporary job from hiring her for a full-time position. I have to wonder if, in reality, an employer would do the same with a glut of non-pregnant unemployed people vying for the same job. Yes, I’m cynical.

Crosby was still a womanizing idiot living out pipe dreams. He seemed to be sleeping his way through town in Jasmine’s wake, with his last redeeming quality being his fatherhood to Jabar.

Amber was still reeling from her inability to get into college, and she found a loft and jazzy little car to help ease her transition into her new  life. You know the kind, a vehicle not seen inside the U.S. for decades and a one room loft with a sliding door. Those items that make the cool kids on TV quirky and unlike the rest of us.
Thinking only of herself, she was the first one to leave Sarah’s fortieth birthday party. The party was another Braverman event where looking in from the outside they seem the perfect family. All getting along, loving each other and life. And yet each child harbors so much inner pain. All things come around, and Camille reminded Sarah that she missed her 40th birthday party, too.

Some good news for Sarah was that, right off the sinking of The Event, Jason Ritter was back as Amber’s teacher Sean and hot on Sarah’s trail. Good for him because he fits the role of semi-goofy teacher far better than that he did on the aforementioned piece of junk. He and Sarah had something good before they rushed him out of the picture. I look forward to seeing their relationship blossom again.

I was surprised there was no mention of Sarah’s progress as a play-writer. Last season ended for her on such a high note, making me a little disappointed not to find her reveling in her success.

Haddie was still sporting a snotty attitude, and a new, horrific, hairstyle. I wanted to take a brush to her head like nobody’s business. She lost her way, but no details as to why were revealed. Dating an alcoholic and doing jello shots do not mix. Whether he was with her or not, it proved how much she doesn’t understand about the person she is dating. I was heartbroken for Alex when he found her at the party, smashed out of her mind. Such betrayal.

Kristina, sporting a farmer’s tan from what I believe was a summer of Ericka Christensen bike riding, was still itching for a new baby of her own. I actually cringed as she spoke with the latte girl about her unborn baby, although the later conversation she had with Sarah that since she sold coffee she figured maybe she’d sell her unborn child, too, was pretty funny.

That’s about it. There wasn’t much to the episode, just another day in the life. As such, this is less of a review than a rundown of where we found the Bravermans after six months. Not stalled and yet not screeching forward to destinations unknown. Just living their lives, inviting us into their homes to watch. Like your favorite comfort food, they’ll be here each week to remind us of who we are.

Overall, this is just a fine episode. Let’s just hope that Parenthood season 3 will bring us a better one next week.

You can check other Parenthood Season 3 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

Miles Heizer will have a girlfriend this Parenthood season 3.

Producer Jason Katims confirms to TV Line that Sarah’s son, Drew, will be featured more than ever before on season three.

Skyler Day (CSI: Miami, Gigantic) will appear on “quite a few episodes” this fall, Katims says, adding that he hopes her role will grow into a “long arc.” And how does she even come across Drew? The creator would only tease:

“The initial story of Drew meeting Amy has to do with Zeek helping him win her over.”

Parenthood season 3 premieres on September 13.

Expect Cee Lo Green to appear on Parenthood season 3 as himself.

According to E! Online, the recording artist is set to appear in one episode, recording at a new studio now owned by Adam (Peter Krause) and Crosby (Dax Shepard).

The Braverman brothers will be buying an old recording space from the ’60s and ’70s, which will become a permanent set piece for Parenthood in its third season.

Cee Lo is an obvious choice for NBC to bring on, given his ties to The Voice on the network, but don’t be surprised to see other big-name music stars appear too.

Nothing wrong with a little cross-promotional stunt casting, right?

Parenthood starts on Tuesday, September 13.

We saw him as a President (24) and a principal (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Now, D.B. Woodside has signed on to portray one side of a love triangle in Parenthood season 3.

The Hollywood Reporter says Woodside will appear on five episodes of Parenthood this fall as Dr. Joseph Prestidge, a man who gets involved with Jasmine in some way. Sorry, Crosby, looks like that season two reunion doesn’t guarantee a future for you two.

Woodside most recently played a role on Hellcats and will debut on episode three of season three.

What do you think of his addition?

You can check other Parenthood Season 3 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

Brittany Belt will join Parenthood season 3.

The young actress, who has appeared on episodes of Castle and The Ex List, has landed the role of Emma, a friend of Haddie since seventh grade. Look for this character, according to TV Line, to take issue with her pal’s relationship with Alex.

What are your expectations for the third season of Parenthood.

You can check other Parenthood Season 3 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

Seth is coming back to Parenthood season 3.

According to producer Jason Katims, John Corbett will return next season to bring love triangle. What will happen then?

The actor, who debuted last season as Sarah’s alcoholic ex, Seth, will appear on multiple season three episodes, an exciting casting note that coincides with Jason Ritter’s reprisal of Mark.

“Just when everything seems to be going well between Sarah and Mark, Seth shows up and he’s kind of in a darker place than he’s been,” Katims told Michael Ausiello. “And so you see Sarah really having to struggle with wanting to help him and be there for him, but also at the same time [be fully present] in this relationship with Mark that’s really good and healthy.”

Parenthood season 3 premieres on September 13.

You can check other Parenthood Season 3 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.

We already discussed Kristina’s pregnancy and Alex being a series regular. Now, let’s see what will happen between Crosby and Jasmine. Will there be a reconciliation?

Not so fast.

“When we start this season, things have not worked out between them the way people might have thought from that image,” executive producer Jason Katims tells TV Guide.

“They’re not at war, but they’re not together at the beginning of the season.”

The decision to keep the pair apart for at least part of Season 3 stems from a desire to explore co-parenting when parents are not together, Katims says.

“We’re always looking for new ways on the show to explore the kind of things that are relevant to parenthood today that we might not have explored,” he says.

“We want to explore the idea of Jasmine and Crosby living separately, trying to go on with their lives individually, but wanting to both be there for their son.”

It looks like this arc won’t be too short-lived, either.

Not only have some Parenthood Season 3 spoilers have hinted at a brief fling for Crosby, the series is also currently casting a new love interest for Jasmine.

Dr. Joseph Prestidge is described as a handsome, charming (and slightly older) pediatrician and author who asks Jasmine out after treating Jabbar for allergies.

The character will appear in at least four episodes this season.

Speaking of Parenthood love interests, Mark Cyr (Jason Ritter) returns: “In the first episode, Sarah is going to be at the high school having a heated argument with an administrator at the high school that Jason Ritter witnesses,” Katims says.

“So she re-meets him in sort of an embarrassing moment. She’s going through something else in the episode and winds up talking to him and they reconnect.”

“We’ve had really interesting and great love interests for Sarah over the first two seasons, but we really wanted to do a story where we get her into a long-term relationship, or at least a longer-term relationship,” Katims says.

“Of course, we need to see the practical matters of how many episodes we’ll be able to have Jason Ritter with us, but he will definitely have a more extended role.”

So are you satisfied with these spoilers? Make sure to see other spoilers of Parenthood season 3.

You can check other Parenthood Season 3 Reviews and Spoilers HERE.